Tag Archives: dog fiction

Izzy’s Dog Days of Summer

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written by Caroline Adderson

Izzy and Zoe are so excited to go to summer camp until they realize two things: it’s awful (partly because Izzy drew big black eyebrows on her face with permanent marker) and you don’t even camp out overnight! So, Izzy and Zoe plan their own week of summer camp in Izzy’s backyard under the watchful eye of Izzy’s nanny, Rosa. They have so much fun and are so loud (partly because of Rollo, Izzy’s excited dog) that the neighbor, Mr. Entwistle, is even grumpier than usual on his side of the fence.

Camp gets less fun when Zoe gets sick and can’t come over. Then, Izzy’s mom tells Izzy about Mr. Entwistle’s late wife, Maevis. Izzy realizes that Mr. Entwistle might just be lonely and she invites him to her backyard summer camp. He comes over for lunch and they get along so well that she goes to his house while Rosa is getting her hair done. Well, excitement ensues when Rollo knocks the bathroom door shut and it locks Izzy and Rollo inside. Mr. Entwistle calls 911 and the friendly firemen (who all know Izzy) get her out of the bathroom, which makes for the most excitement that Mr. Entwistle has had in a very long time. All this excitement (and more) leads to a wonderful friendship between Mr. Entwistle (Isodor) and Izzy (Why, they are almost twins with those names!).

This lovely, accessible chapter book is brimming with fun and energy. While there is a moment of reflection when Izzy learns why Mr. Entwistle is so grumpy and sad (done in a very respectful and gently way), the overall tone is humorous and light. The black and white illustrations on nearly every two page spread add to the accessibility of the story. Give this book to your early readers. They will love it!

Cat Sees Snow

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written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Fred Blunt

Cat, Dog and Pig approach the snow in a variety of ways and all enjoy the cold, white stuff by the end. This bright and cheery story is perfect for the brand new reader. The repeated text and short length (less than 100 words), makes this book very accessible for young students. The colorful line drawn illustrations complement the story and move it along. The notes to parents/guardians at the beginning of the book are quite helpful. This is a solid choice for new readers, who will cheer on the characters and cheer for themselves after reading a book!

Izzy’s Tail of Trouble

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Izzy and her friend, Zoe, love to dress up her dog in baby clothes and play “baby stealer” with Zoe’s older brother. It’s typically a giggle-filled screamfest when Izzy and Rolo are at Zoe’s house. Unfortunately, things are changing and it’s hard for Izzy. Rollo is growing into a big dog and the baby clothes are getting too small. He’s also getting into some big doggy trouble. Lionel, Zoe’s brother, is becoming a teenager. And, he is the epitome of a teenager – surly, pimply and no fun at all.

Izzy doesn’t like these changes and is determined to find out of there is some kind of cure for these two maladies. She and her mom take Rollo to obedience school and he doesn’t do well. Izzy works hard with him and uses some of what she learns to engage Lionel, which turns out surprisingly well.

Through some gently comedic adventures, Izzy works on these problems, realizing along the way that change is inevitable. But, the fun doesn’t have to end, it’s just different.

Readers new to chapter books will enjoy this story. Accompanying illustrations in black and white break up the text and provide extra giggles. Add this to your collection along with the first book, Izzy in the Doghouse. Recommended.

Cat Has a Plan by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Fred Blunt

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Cat and Dog each have plans and they involve a stuffed dinosaur and each other. There is some jealousy at play here as Cat and Dog take turns stealing a well-loved stuffed dinosaur from each other. Masks, traps, nets and sacks are used as they go back in forth in ownership of the dino. Finally, a plan goes awry and the poor stuffed dinosaur falls into Mouse’s hole. Mouse is thrilled with his new toy. Cat and dog are sad for a while, but quickly hatch a plan to work together. They realize that they can both act and with their masks, they stage a play to earn money to each buy a new stuffed dinosaur. Now, everyone (Mouse, Cat and Dog) are happy!

This Ready-to-Read early reader has about 100 words and those words are listed at the beginning of the book along with a note to adults and encouragement for the reader. At the end of the story, there are some simple questions to enhance learning, if necessary. Illustrations are bright and exuberant. This cute little book will start young students on their way to a future as readers. Recommended.

Spacebot by Mike Twohy

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One quiet night, the family pup is snoozing in his dog house when something strange happens. The kitchen appliances notice it first. Then, the house looks up. Finally, the pup looks up (yep, that rhymes and so does the book!). A UFO lands and out walks a…robo-dog. The pup is thrilled! A new friend! But, this spacebot is actually a friend of the kitchen appliances, who greet him like a long-lost relative. He points up and they all start to fly, except the pup, who begins to feel a bit neglected. The appliances have a joyous space romp and are finally directed to return to their places in the kitchen, cords trailing. The spacebot turns to enter his UFO and stops to toss a red ball to the pup. This is no ordinary ball, though. It fits on his nose and he begins to fly!

Spacebot is a fun, rhyming frolic of a story. One must smile at the happy group of kitchen appliances as they soar around the night sky. Toaster loopty-loops and refrigerator nearly loses her magnets as they fly around with their electrical buddies. Pup’s disappointment is palpable until he is gifted with the magical red ball. Text is minimal and illustrations are dynamic as the story moves forward. This is a great book for the newly-minted reader and can be used as a read-aloud. Highly recommended.